Concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid

ABSTRACT

A concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid. The device has a lid portion with a base and lip structures extending around the base, each lip structure having a first contour, which first contour extends from an upper end of a generally vertical lid portion wall, which generally vertical lid portion wall extends from the base, wherein the lip structures are flexible along the generally vertical lid portion wall. The device also includes a bin portion, the bin portion having an open mouth, the mouth defined by a rim structure located around a perimeter of the open mouth, the rim structure having a second contour which second contour extends above a top end of a generally vertical bin portion wall section, which generally vertical bin portion wall section connects at a bottom end to a generally horizontal bin portion wall section, and which generally horizontal bin portion wall section connects to sides walls of the bin portion, which side walls extend upwardly from a bottom of the bin portion. The first contour, the generally vertical lid portion wall, and an outer perimeter of the base of the lid portion are complementary to and detachably and sealably contact and engage with the second contour, the generally vertical bin portion wall section, and the generally horizontal bin portion wall section of the bin portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers with lids, and more specifically to concrete washout containers with leakproof sealing lids that allow waste concrete and liquid to be transported, stored, and used to evaporate water from the container, thereby leaving dried concrete residue, which can be more easily recycled or repurposed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Concrete is composed of aggregate (generally a coarse aggregate such as gravel, limestone, or granite, plus a fine aggregate such as sand), cement (commonly Portland cement) and can also include other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement (with the cement and cementitious materials acting to hold the aggregate together, water, and can also include other chemical admixtures. Depending on the intended use, fiberglass, chemicals and other additives can be added. Concrete is commonly transported to a construction site in concrete mixture delivery vehicles, typically concrete transport trucks (in-transit mixers) having a large rotating mixing drum. During transportation, the concrete is in a wet, relatively flowable state. At the construction site, the wet concrete mixture is installed. One typical method to deliver the concrete from the drum is via one or more pour chutes.

After substantially all of the concrete mixture is unloaded from the delivery transport truck, a considerable amount of wet concrete continues to adhere to the pour chutes. In the past, this remaining wet concrete mixture was merely hosed off onto the ground or worse, rinsed into storm drains. However, the rinse water used to clean the pour chutes is considered a potential groundwater contaminant and is quite damaging to storm drain systems. Consequently, environmental laws have been strengthened to prohibit the disbursal of such rinse waters and solids (hereinafter referred to as “rinse water mixture”) onto the ground, onto streets, or down storm drains. All such rinse water mixture must be recouped and recycled without being allowed to flow into streets, storm drains or gutters or allowed to percolate into the soil.

One way that has been used to deal with concrete rinse mixtures at large construction sites has been to deposit such rinse water mixtures in prefabricated lined evaporation pits. However, the construction of a prefabricated evaporation pit at smaller commercial and residential construction sites is impractical and not cost effective. Moreover, there is still the problem of transporting the rinse water mixtures.

There are various devices and systems for removal of concrete chute rinse water mixture from the delivery vehicle. Many systems require the use of expensive and bulky hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical components which must be carried on the delivery vehicle. Such hydraulic or electrical components are expensive to purchase and maintain and awkward to carry on the delivery vehicle. Also, such hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical components leave the driver of the delivery vehicle vulnerable to hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical system failures which would prevent use of the equipment at the construction site. Still further, proposed equipment in the prior art can suffer from leakage of contaminated water during the normal operation. Many prior devices and methods require the use of the vehicle's mixing drum to store the recovered rinse water mixture. Storing such rinse water mixture in the mixing drum can adversely affect the integrity of the next load of concrete mixture prepared and transported within the mixing drum, unless the rinse water mixture is thoroughly drained from the mixing drum prior to the preparation of the next batch of concrete mixture. From a practical standpoint, this is a major disadvantage of such proposed equipment because there is a strong temptation among individual concrete mixture preparation personnel to reuse the rinse water mixture (already in the mixing drum) rather than to take the time to thoroughly drain and reconstitute the rinse water mixture and to replace it in the mixing drum with fresh water.

There are also a variety of open flat bins that are used to collect the rinse water mixture. Such flat bins are positioned at a work site, and the rinse water mixture is deposited therein. In some cases, the water of the rinse water mixture is allowed to evaporate with the passage of time, and then the solids are transported back to the concrete mixing facility. For high volume worksites, often times, these bins—filled with rinse water mixture—are transported back to the concrete mixing facility, but with great difficulty, e.g., tarps are used to cover the open mouth thereof, and spillage is common. Moreover, once filled with rinse water mixture, these prior art bins are not stackable, which can potentially take up more room at a work site.

There accordingly remains a need for improved concrete washout containers with leakproof sealing lid and with a way to permit evaporation of the water from the rinse water mixture while in the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention provides a concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid, comprising:

-   -   a lid portion have a base and lip structures extending around         the base, each lip structure having a first contour, which first         contour extends from an upper end of a generally vertical lid         portion wall, which generally vertical lid portion wall extends         from the base, wherein the lip structures are flexible along the         generally vertical lid portion wall; and     -   a bin portion, the bin portion having an open mouth, the mouth         defined by a rim structure located around a perimeter of the         open mouth, the rim structure having a second contour which         second contour extends above a top end of a generally vertical         bin portion wall section, which generally vertical bin portion         wall section connects at a bottom end to a generally horizontal         bin portion wall section, and which generally horizontal bin         portion wall section connects to sides walls of the bin portion,         which side walls extend upwardly from a bottom of the bin         portion;     -   wherein the first contour, the generally vertical lid portion         wall, and an outer perimeter of the base of the lid portion are         complementary to and detachably and sealably contact and engage         with the second contour, the generally vertical bin portion wall         section, and the generally horizontal bin portion wall section         of the bin portion.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid, comprising:

-   -   a lid portion have a base and lip structures extending around a         perimeter of the base, the lip structures having a first         C-shaped contour, the lid portion including an opening and         opening cover to allow access the bin portion through the lid         portion; and     -   a bin portion, the bin portion having an open mouth, the mouth         defined by a rim structure located around a perimeter of the         open mouth, the rim structure having a second C-shaped contour,         the bin portion having side walls extend upwardly from a bottom         of the bin portion, the bin portion including forklift channels         formed in a bottom thereof;     -   wherein the lip structures of the lid portion detachably         interference fit within the rim structure of the bin portion to         provide for sealing between the lid portion and bin portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top front isometric exploded view showing an exemplary embodiment of a concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an assembled top front isometric view of the exemplary embodiment of the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the exemplary embodiment of the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6A is a detailed front cross-sectional view showing the exemplary lid portion just before being engaged with the bin portion of the exemplary embodiment of the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6B is a front cross-sectional view showing the exemplary lid portion with one lip of the lid being engaged with a rim of the bin portion.

FIG. 6C is a detailed front cross-sectional view showing the exemplary lid portion with both lips of the lid engaged with the rim of the bin portion, but not completely snapped into engagement.

FIG. 6D is a front cross-sectional view showing the exemplary lid portion with both lips of the lid completely engaged with the rim of the bin portion to provide the sealing.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view showing an exemplary embodiment of the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of the invention with a strap positioned around its middle section and being tilted by a forklift.

FIG. 8 is an assembled top front isometric view of another exemplary embodiment of a concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid.

FIG. 9 is a top front isometric view showing the lid portion of the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top front isometric view showing the bin portion of the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning first to FIGS. 1 to FIGS. 6A-D, there are shown various views of an exemplary embodiment of a concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid 10. FIG. 1 is an isometric top front exploded view showing its bin portion 12 and lid portion 14. FIG. 2 is an assembled top front isometric view of the exemplary embodiment of the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are a front view and side view, respectively, of the exemplary embodiment of the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid 10 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a top view thereof. FIGS. 6A-D show how the lid portion 14 engages with the bin portion 14. The lid portion 14 has a base 16 and lip structures 18 extending around the base 16. An opening 20 is preferably located on the lid portion 14, and a cap 22 is used to detachably cover the opening. The opening 20 can be a male or female threaded opening and is adapted to engage an opposite threaded cap 22. Other types of know sealing devices can also be used. The opening 20 can be used to pump liquid out of the base portion and/or as opening to allow water to evaporate from the bin portion 14. One or more optional ports 24 can be included on the lid portion 14. The ports 24 can be provided either closed or open. And when opened (e.g., by bore through), this will allow water to evaporate through the lid portion 14, as will be discussed further below. The lid portion 14 can be structurally reinforced by ribs 26 formed on a top surface thereof. As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the lip structures 18 can comprises separate sections, such as two on each of the four sides of the lip portion 14, with separations 80 and 82 formed therebetween. The separations 80 and 82 permit the individual lip structures 18 to flex and bend as necessary to conform to the bin portion 12. While two lip structures 18 are shown on each side of the lid portion 14, a different number of lip structures can be used. Turning to the bin portion 12, it has an upper open mouth 30. Around the mouth 30 is a perimeter 32 that has a rim structure 34, which rim structure 34 is adapted to engage with the lip structures 18 extending around the base 16 of the lid portion 14, as will be discussed below. The rim structure 34 is shown as having interruptions 86. The interruptions are preferably aligned with the separations 80 in the lid portion 14, such that when the lid portion 14 is engaged with the bin portion 12, channels are formed which provide a natural passageway 90 through which straps can be used to retain the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid 10 on a truck during transportation. The bin portion 12 has front walls 36 and side walls 38. Pairs of forklift channels 40 and 42 are preferably formed at a bottom 41 of the bin portion 12 and allow the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid 10 to be picked up from any side of the device 10. The bin portion 12 will rest on base blocks 44. The front walls 36 and side walls 38 preferably flair out from a smaller bottom 41 to a larger mouth 30. This allows the bins portions 12 to be nested for storage and transportation, plus helps any material in the bin, such as cured concrete, etc. to be more easily ejected from the bin portion 12. A waist portion 50 is preferably formed around walls 36 and 38 of the bin portion 12. The waist 50 may comprise indented channel.

FIG. 6A is a detailed front cross-sectional view showing the exemplary lid portion 14 just before being engaged with the bin portion 12. As shown, the lip structure 18 extending around the base 16 has a generally C-shaped upper end 94 that extends above a slightly slanted out vertical wall portion 96, that extends the base 16. A horizontal section 98 extends from the generally C-shaped upper end 94 and when the lip structure 18 is completely engaged with the rim structure 34 of the bin portion 12, provides an edge which can be used to pry to lid portion 14 off of the bin portion 12. An outer surface 100 of the generally C-shaped upper end 94 will be sized and shaped so that it will closely confirm to an inner surface 102 of the rim structure 34 of the of the bin portion 12 formed at the perimeter 32 thereof, near the open mouth 30. The rim structure 34 will itself have a generally C-shaped portion 104. The generally C-shaped portion 104 extends upwardly from a generally vertical wall section 106, which in turn extends from a horizontal stub wall 108. The horizontal stub wall 108 extends outwardly from the walls 26 and 38 of the bin portion 12. FIG. 6B is a front cross-sectional view showing the exemplary lid portion 14 with one lip structures 18 of the lid portion 14 being engaged with the rim 34 of the bin portion 12. As is shown, the C-shaped upper end 94 will start to conform about the around the generally C-shaped portion 104 that extends upwardly from the generally vertical wall section 106 and horizontal stub wall section 108, and the slightly slanted out vertical wall portion 96 extending from the base 16 will likewise start to flex and snap into a space 110 below the generally C-shaped portion 104 and horizontal stub wall 108. Because of the vertical wall portion 96 is slightly slanted out and has some resilience, this will tend to push the C-shaped upper end 94 against the generally C-shaped portion 104 of the rim structure 34 of the bin portion 12. Sections of the base 16 of the lid portion 14 near the lip structure 18 will start to make sealing contact with the upper surface of the horizontal stub wall 18. FIG. 6C is a detailed front cross-sectional view showing the exemplary lid portion 14 with both lip structures 18 of the lid engaged with the rim 34 of the bin portion 12, but not completely snapped into engagement. Finally, FIG. 6D is a front cross-sectional view showing the exemplary lid portion 14 with both lip structures 18 of the lid completely engaged with the rim 34 of the bin portion 12 to provide water tight sealing, even in areas of the passageways 90, since even in these passageways, there is contact between the slightly slanted out vertical wall portions 96 that extend the base 16 with the generally vertical wall section 106 that in turn extends from a horizontal stub wall 108, and contact between the base 16 of the lid portion 14 and the top of the horizontal stub wall 108 of the base portion 12.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view showing the exemplary embodiment of the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid 10 the invention with a strap 120 positioned around its middle section in the waist 50 and being tilted by a forklift 130. In this way, the forklift or tractor can be used to tip over the bin portion 12 and dump out the contents therein, e.g., cured concrete debris.

FIGS. 8-10 are various views of another embodiment of the exemplary embodiment of a concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid 200. FIG. 8 is a top front isometric assembled view showing its bin portion 212 and lid portion 214. FIG. 9 is a top front isometric view of the exemplary lid portion 214 thereof, and FIG. 10 is a top front isometric view of the exemplary bin portion 212 thereof. Except for the device being shorter and side walls which are about as twice as long as they are wide, the device 200 is almost the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7. However, since the structure is long and shallow, it can be tipped over to dispose of the material contained therein without a need for a tipping strap. Rather, users can pick up one side of the structure (e.g., by using a forklift or tractor) and effectuate the desired tipping. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the lid portion 214 has a rim structure 216 and a natural passageway 218 can preferably be formed where the lid portion 214 sits on the bin portion 212. A cap 220 is shown closing an opening (not shown) that passes through the top 226. Strengthening ribs 224 are preferably formed on the lid portion 214, and optional ports 222 can be formed on the lid portion 214, with the optional ports 222 either being provided as bored (or drilled out), or unbored. When openings are formed in the ports, this will aid in evaporation of liquid from the closed bin portion 212. The cap 220 can be removed so that users can access the inside of the bin portion 212 even without removing the lid portion 214, such as to pump water therefrom. As best shown in FIG. 9, separations 240 are preferably formed between individual lip structures 216 of the lid portion 214, which separations 240 permit the lip structures 216 to more freely flex as may be required to conform to the bin portion 212. The bin portion 212 preferably includes pairs of forklift channels 250 and 252, which are formed at a bottom 254 of the bin portion 212 and allow the base portion 212 to be picked up from any side of the device 200. The forklift channels 250 and 252 help strengthen the base portion 212. Around the mouth 254 of the base portion 212 is a perimeter 258 that has a rim structure 260, which rim structure 32604 is adapted to engage with the lip structures 216 extending around the base 226 of the lid portion 214. The functionality and manner in which the base portion 212 and lid portion 214 engage together is the same as with the embodiment of the invention shown and described with respect to the concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid 10 of FIGS. 1-7.

The bin portions 12/212 and lid portions 14/214 are preferably formed of high strength plastic, such as cross-linked polyethylene, commonly abbreviated PEX or XLPE, and can be formed by techniques including but not limited to roto molding. Use of high strength plastic has many advantages, including that the device can be formed without sharp corners which would tend to collect cured concrete. Moreover, the appropriate plastic provides some flexibility and give, and by banging or otherwise shocking the walls of the bin portion 12, this will help release and cured concrete that otherwise might stick to the bin.

Although the lip structures 18 and 216 show generally C-shaped upper ends to conform to generally C-shaped upper ends of the bin portions 12 and 212, other shapes can be used so long as the portion can be made to easily engage, and disengage from each other. For example, the upper ends could be more generally U-shaped, or even squared off.

The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, so that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid, comprising: a lid portion have a base and lip structures extending around the base, each lip structure having a first contour, which first contour extends from an upper end of a generally vertical lid portion wall, which generally vertical lid portion wall extends from the base, wherein the lip structures are flexible along the generally vertical lid portion wall; and a bin portion, the bin portion having an open mouth, the mouth defined by a rim structure located around a perimeter of the open mouth, the rim structure having a second contour which second contour extends above a top end of a generally vertical bin portion wall section, which generally vertical bin portion wall section connects at a bottom end to a generally horizontal bin portion wall section, and which generally horizontal bin portion wall section connects to sides walls of the bin portion, which side walls extend upwardly from a bottom of the bin portion; wherein the first contour, the generally vertical lid portion wall, and an outer perimeter of the base of the lid portion are complementary to and detachably and sealably contact and engage with the second contour, the generally vertical bin portion wall section, and the generally horizontal bin portion wall section of the bin portion.
 2. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 1, wherein the bin portion further comprises forklift channels formed on the bottom of the bin portion thereof.
 3. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 1, wherein the lid portion further comprises an opening and opening cover to allow access the bin portion through the lid portion.
 4. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 1, wherein the lid portion further comprises ports, which ports can be opened up for purpose of permitting the evaporation of liquid from inside the bin portion.
 5. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 1, wherein the bin portion further comprises a channel running generally horizontally around the side walls, which channel provides a channel for a tilting and lifting strap to be affixed around the bin portion.
 6. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 1, wherein the side walls of the bin portion flare outwardly from a smaller bottom to the open mouth, which is larger, to permit nesting of multiple bin portions and to permit easier release of material collected in the bin portion.
 7. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 1, wherein the lid portion further comprises separations located between the lip structures to permit independent movement of the lip structures.
 8. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 1, wherein the lid portion further comprises separations located between the lip structures to permit independent movement of the lip structures, and wherein the rim structure of the bin portion has interruptions that are generally aligned with separations on the lid portion, such that when the lid portion is engaged with the bin portion, the separations on the lid portion will generally align with the interruption on the bin portion and provide channels that pass through the lid portion and bin portion.
 9. A concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid, comprising: a lid portion have a base and lip structures extending around a perimeter of the base, the lip structures having a first C-shaped contour, the lid portion including an opening and opening cover to allow access the bin portion through the lid portion; and a bin portion, the bin portion having an open mouth, the mouth defined by a rim structure located around a perimeter of the open mouth, the rim structure having a second C-shaped contour, the bin portion having side walls extend upwardly from a bottom of the bin portion, the bin portion including forklift channels formed in a bottom thereof; wherein the lip structures of the lid portion detachably interference fit within the rim structure of the bin portion to provide for sealing between the lid portion and bin portion.
 10. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 9, wherein the lip structures further include a generally vertical lid portion wall that extends from the base, wherein the lip structures flex along the generally vertical lid portion wall, and wherein the second C-shaped contour of the rim structure of the bin portion extends above a top end of a generally vertical bin portion wall section, which generally vertical bin portion wall section connects at a bottom end to a generally horizontal bin portion wall section, and which generally horizontal bin portion wall section connects to a top of the side walls of the bin portion, and wherein the first C-shaped contour, the generally vertical lid portion wall, and an outer perimeter of the base of the lid portion are complementary to and detachably and sealably contact and engage with the second C-shaped contour, the generally vertical bin portion wall section, and the generally horizontal bin portion wall section of the bin portion.
 11. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 9, wherein the lid portion further comprises ports, which ports can be opened up for purpose of permitting the evaporation of liquid from inside the bin portion.
 12. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 9, wherein the bin portion further comprises a channel located generally horizontally around the side walls, which channel provides a channel for a tilting and lifting strap to be affixed around the bin portion.
 13. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 9, wherein the side walls of the bin portion flare outwardly from a smaller bottom to the open mouth, which is larger, to permit nesting of multiple bin portions and to permit easier release of material collected in the bin portion.
 14. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 9, wherein the lid portion further comprises separations located between the lip structures to permit independent movement of the lip structures.
 15. The concrete washout container with leakproof sealing lid of claim 9, wherein the lid portion further comprises separations located between the lip structures to permit independent movement of the lip structures, and wherein the rim structure of the bin portion has interruptions that are generally aligned with separations on the lid portion, such that when the lid portion is engaged with the bin portion, the separations on the lid portion will generally align with the interruption on the bin portion and provide channels that pass through the lid portion and bin portion. 